stand for

British  

verb

1. to represent or mean

2. to be or become a candidate for

3. to support or recommend

4. informal to tolerate or bear

   he won't stand for any disobedience

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stand for Idioms  

1. Represent, symbolize, as in The stars and stripes stands for our country . [Early 1600s]

2. Advocate, support, uphold, as in The National Writers Union stands for freedom of the press . [c. 1300] Also see stand up for .

3. Put up with, tolerate. This usage is generally in a negative context, as in Mother will not stand for rude behavior . [Late 1800s] Also see hold still for .

4. stand for something . Have some value or importance, as in She realized that appearances do stand for something . This usage dates from the mid-1800s but was preceded by stand for nothing , meaning “be worthless,” dating from the late 1300s. Also see stand in for .

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Example Sentences

Ebitda, which stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, is a widely used measure of underlying profitability.

From MarketWatch

“I’m racing for an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others,” cross country skier Jessie Diggins wrote.

From Salon

A spokesman said the prosecution’s perspective as presented in the hearing stood for itself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Only four percent of candidates standing for election come from minority backgrounds in the country of 170 million, according to official data, leaving them poorly represented in parliament.

From Barron's

He’d watched enough cop shows to know that “codes” stood for something.

From Literature

Related Words

• exemplify
• imply
• represent
• suggest
• symbolize